Chennai: Expressing “deep concern” over a Sri Lankan court imposing a fine on eight Tamil Nadu fishermen for fishing in the Gulf of Mannar, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the external affairs ministry to register India’s strong protest and take steps to secure the release of all the 16 arrested fishermen.
The Lankan court had imposed fine of SLR 60 lakh (INR 26 lakhs) each on eight fishermen from Thoothukudi district in the state who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, while “eking out their livelihood” in the Gulf of Mannar.
They were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on August 21 along with their boat and convicted under the provisions of Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act, purportedly for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters, the Chief Minister explained. The Court ordered that the fishermen will have to serve a term of 3 months in jail if the fine is not paid.
The CM had, in his letter dated July 7, 2017 and subsequent letters, brought to the PM's notice the amendments made in the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, 1996 and Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act by the Government of Sri Lanka and its impact on our Indian fishermen, especially from Tamil Nadu.
"The latest move by the Government of Sri Lanka to enforce the amendments made in their Act against the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu at this crucial juncture when the government of Tamil Nadu, ably supported by government of India, has taken proactive steps for transition towards a permanent solution, is nothing but a mockery of the diplomatic efforts being undertaken by the government of India to sort out the sensitive issue," Mr Palaniswami said.
This has created a sense of panic in the minds of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Hence he urged Mr. Modi to direct the External Affairs Ministry to register "our strong protest" at the highest level in Sri Lanka and organise an effective defence in the Sri Lankan courts and to secure the release of the fishermen without paying the fine or serving the jail term.
The CM further requested Mr Modi to ensure that immediate action is taken to secure the release of the all 16 Indian fishermen who are languishing in Lankan jails.
